InterAct for Change Philanthropic Process

InterAct for Change Advisors Consulting Process

“Dedicate some of your life to others. Your dedication will not be a sacrifice. It will be an exhilarating experience because it is an intense effort applied toward a meaningful end.” --Dr. Thomas Dooley

Philanthropy is an art and a science. There is not an exact formula that automatically generates the ideal charitable giving solution. However, InterAct Advisors has developed a framework for the philanthropic process that is based on best practices and successful consulting engagements over years of experience designing, supporting, and evaluating programs and solutions for clients. We help clients maximize effectiveness, which increases satisfaction.

Our process complements, but does not replace financial and estate planning. While we assist in identifying appropriate charitable giving vehicles, we strongly encourage consultation with legal and accounting professionals before making a charitable gift through InterAct for Change, or to any charitable organization.

Step 1: Uncover Your Passions, Align Your Interests

We begin by gathering information about your giving history. To identify interests and passions, we talk with you individually and as a group. Together we engage in exercises that help you articulate core beliefs about wealth, family, values, and corporate citizenship, as well as passions for giving. Whether working with a corporate group or family, the process helps determine where there are connections, where there are divergent pathways, and where there are opportunities to develop common ground. We then gather the learnings from the assessment and create a report that includes proposed mission and vision statements.

Step 2: Develop a Shared Vision, Define the Focus

To create a strategic focus for giving, we lead meetings or a group retreat with customized workshop and discussion sessions that identify each client’s focus and preliminary giving goals. We evaluate and build on the collective strengths of the family or corporate group and the individual strengths of its members. Based on this experience and the initial assessment in step one, we solidify a mission and a vision that guides future activities. Together we develop a framework, a plan, and benchmarks that will launch your new giving strategy into action.

Step 3: Engage in the Issues, Build Knowledge

With your strategy and goals for giving in mind, we help build a knowledge base around your interest areas. This may include site visits to specific organizations, meetings with topic experts, the development of white papers, and immersion in the issues you have selected. Becoming more engaged and knowledgeable creates a natural transition from passive to active giving.

Step 4: Take Action, Achieve Outcomes

Strategy without strong execution is ineffective and unproductive. In conjunction with our Foundation Services professionals, InterAct Advisors organizes your giving from an operational perspective by setting up a structure and processes that take advantage of your unique circumstances and strengths. We define roles and responsibilities, organize board and/or family meetings, research and prepare proposal summaries, and set up administrative and financial procedures for maximum efficiency. In other words, we work side by side with you to “staff” your giving program or foundation, according to your resources and needs. We also assist in training board members or others in your organization to fulfill these roles, if that’s your preference.

Step 5: Experience Change, Evaluate Results

Now that the strategy has been set in motion and partners are actively involved, we evaluate the progress and measure results. We engage in ongoing communication and evaluation, so partners can see the real impact of their giving. Your mission and goals will be revisited over time as you gain experience and consider the results of your efforts. Most importantly, charitable giving becomes highly satisfying when you have the confidence that the details of your philanthropic plans are private and well cared for by our professional Advisors.

InterAct Advisors can help you engage in meaningful, active philanthropy. Contact us when you are ready to get started.